Years of military noise had left Mr Arthur Ellis struggling to follow conversations, feel connected, and enjoy the moment, particularly when several people were speaking or background noise was present. With support from the charity, UK Veterans Hearing Foundation and funding from the 29th of May 1961 Charitable Trust, he has now received Phonak Audeo hearing aids and is pleased with the difference they have made.
A life shaped around service
Mr Arthur Ellis joined the Royal Marines in August 1960 and served until April 1969. His military career exposed him to noise from small arms, naval guns, and weapons training. Mr Ellis worked as a weapons training instructor before later serving as a chef for a long period. He did not receive hearing protection during his service; like many veterans of his generation, Mr Ellis spent years around dangerously high noise levels without knowing how much lasting damage was taking place. The effects did not end when his service did.
Living with military hearing loss
By the time Mr Ellis approached the UK Veterans Hearing Foundation, hearing loss was affecting him far more than his ability to hear individual sounds. He has struggled to understand speech in busy or complex listening environments, competing voices and background noise made conversations harder to follow, while hearing over a distance presented another challenge.
Mr Ellis also experienced tinnitus and explained how his hearing difficulties had contributed to depression, headaches and a loss of confidence. He had previously received NHS hearing aids but felt they provided sound on only one side, when he needed support for both ears. This left him unable to feel as connected in conversations as he wanted. Everyday situations required greater concentration, and keeping up with other people became tiring. For Mr Ellis, better hearing was not only about making sounds louder, but he also wanted to feel involved again.
Understanding Mr Arthur Ellis's hearing needs
Mr Ellis’s hearing assessment found mixed hearing loss in both ears, with moderate hearing loss in his left ear and moderate-to-severe hearing loss in his right ear. His hearing loss affected a broad range of frequencies, with greater difficulty in the higher frequencies that contribute to much of the clarity in speech. The difference between his ears also created an imbalance, making listening even harder in noisy surroundings.
Following his assessment, he needed hearing support for both ears. A binaural fitting would help create a more balanced listening experience and support his understanding of speech across different environments.
Phonak Audeo hearing aids funded for Mr Ellis
Our Foundation UVHF has supported Mr Ellis to access a pair of Phonak Audeo hearing aids, funded by The 29th of May 1961 Charitable Trust. Modern hearing aids do much more than increase volume. Mr Ellis’s devices analyse his surroundings and adjust to the listening situation. This supports clearer speech while reducing the effort needed to listen in background noise.
By wearing hearing aids in both ears, Mr Ellis receives a more balanced sense of sound; the fitting also supports his ability to recognise where voices are coming from and follow conversations involving more than one person. His Phonak Audeo hearing aids include Bluetooth connectivity, allowing phone calls to stream directly through them. This gives Mr Ellis clearer access to conversations without relying on a conversational telephone speaker.
Welcome a difference
After his hearing aid fitting at Hear4U Rothwell, Mr Ellis spoke with Cath from the clinic and said he was pleased with his new hearing aids. This simple feedback from him carries a great deal of meaning!
He is someone who has lived with hearing difficulties, tinnitus and reduced confidence; receiving suitable hearing support offers more than clearer sound. Conversations feel easier to join, and phone calls are less demanding; his time with family and friends also feels natural. Mr Ellis’s story also reflects the experience of many former service personnel.
Hearing loss often develops gradually; some veterans live with the effects for decades before seeking support. Others receive hearing aids but still struggle because their devices no longer meet their needs. No veteran should feel they must accept isolation or a loss of confidence as an unavoidable part of getting older.
Support for veterans with hearing loss
At the UK Veterans Hearing Foundation, we support former members of the Armed Forces whose hearing has been affected by military service. Our work helps eligible veterans access hearing assessments and suitable hearing technology, with support from charitable trusts and partner organisations. We consider each application based on the veteran’s hearing needs and personal circumstances.
Mr Ellis served his country while exposed to noise without suitable protection; with the right support, he now has hearing aids suited to the challenges he faces today. We are grateful to The 29th of May 1961 Charitable Trust for funding Arthur’s hearing aids and helping another veteran reconnect with the sounds and conversations around him.
